New retro Kawi on the horizon?

[tod.branko_imp]

Seems like Kawasaki has something really cool in store, seems to be a a proper looking retro styled bike, teased in this video they show a glimpse of the 70's Z650, which was an air-cooled inline 4 with carbs, but the new one will likely be the z650rs based on the z650 platform that has been around for a long time. I think it's a good choice
I have been a fan of that parallel twin mill ever since my Gen1 Versys, it packs proper low and mid range torque and is a lot of fun to ride, I would definitely give this one a look

'14 CB1100 STD 5 speed

 

[the Ferret]

The KZ 650 was a neat bike. Baby KZ 900

 

[misterprofessionality]

10 to 1 odds it has an aesthetically restyled ninja 650 motor in it. They put that motor in EVERYTHING.

 

[PowerDubs_imp]

That pic of that old bike- I could only wish for a new bike to look like that!

SO much so- that I style my CB1100 in memory of my old KZ750 LTD that I had when I was in the Army.

Bring it on Kawasaki!!

 

[GoldOxide_imp]

The Kawi teaser flick is definitely a tease.

lol - All I saw were black plastic lollipop mirrors.

 

[Nachodaddy]

Long, long ago my first bike was a new KZ750 vertical twin. I got into the motorcycle owning game late, midway in my 30s, but that bike was all I needed. Cost me a little under a thousand dollars brand new. It was fast, smooth, stable, carried two of us as fast as it took to leave the other traffic far behind. I love that bike and still have great memories of Sunday morning coffee runs out Bandera Road west of San Antonio and other Hill Country rides. The CB1100 reminds me a lot of that bike and that is why I chose it. Good luck Kawasaki, but I think I have my last bike.

 

[Rox_imp]

The KZ 650 was a neat bike. Baby KZ 900

Im betting it'll be a 650 twin...

Honda should of done it with the 500 twin. Maybe they'll do it with the 1000 twin too. Going more retro than neo retro. We can all wish, right?

 

[furious_blue_imp]

The KZ 650 was a neat bike. Baby KZ 900

The proportions of the KZ650 always seemed 'just perfect' to me since the day they let it out. Everything in harmony, no single design element overpowering any other element. Beautiful !
Remember those teaser '750's beware !' adverts with picture of the sealed wooden crate ?
Too bad by the time it came out the 750 class had taken a jump up and away in the performance dept.

 

[tod.branko_imp]

As suspected, Z650RS has been revealed by Kawasaki as the new middle-weight retro offering. The same venerable 650 parallel twin engine with 67hp and 64Nm in package with what I find to be a quite appealing chassis and bodywork. It looks like a solid piece of kit and I'm sure many a motorcyclist would find it that, too.
Kawasaki prices is at ~10500$ but prices may vary in different markets.

I like it

'14 CB1100 STD 5 speed

 

[misterprofessionality]

Good grief. Of course it's the ninja 650 motor. Called it. Lol.

Its now being used in 5 production bikes at the same time. Thats just absurd.

 

[Frulk_imp]

Another one I won’t be going to look at. Looks nice in the bright green though and it does have the profile of a classically designed bike. However, I prefer Japanese motors to have more than two cylinders. Don’t ask me why. I don’t really know myself. I just do. If that bike is anywhere near 400 pounds I can see a lot of older guys going for this as they ‘age out’ of the heavier class bikes like the CB1100. Probably pick up some first time buyers too although that price range might give younger folks getting into riding pause.

 

[tod.branko_imp]

Another one I won’t be going to look at. Looks nice in the bright green though and it does have the profile of a classically designed bike. However, I prefer Japanese motors to have more than two cylinders. Don’t ask me why. I don’t really know myself. I just do. If that bike is anywhere near 400 pounds I can see a lot of older guys going for this as they ‘age out’ of the heavier class bikes like the CB1100. Probably pick up some first time buyers too although that price range might give younger folks getting into riding pause.

Kawasaki lists it at 412lb kerb weight, which is decent in my opinion, and having ridden other bikes with the same engine Versys, Ninja 650 and the er6n, I think the performance is more than adequate. It's also utterly reliable and real-world performance is much better than a 4-cyl of the same displacement as it doesn't suffer from a lethargic bottom end. Gotta say I like the green with gold wheels the most

'14 CB1100 STD 5 speed

 

[rboe]

Like the GB1000, you just can't do a retro bike then stuff in a modern looking water cooled lump. It just doesn't fit.

Triumph put fins on theirs which carries the look through - Honda and Kawasaki should have done the same thing.

 

[Frulk_imp]

I don’t doubt it’s a capable machine and the weight certainly makes it very appealing. I just can’t think of any compelling reason I’d want to park it in my garage.

 

[pdedse]

Would not sniff at it just for the rectanculgar radiator alone.

 

[misterprofessionality]

Despite me scoffing at them for reusing the ninja 650 twin again, I am actually interested in this bike. I've grown to love the motor in my versys and this appears to be about 50 lbs lighter. Could be a real hoot.

 

[Whoops]

That is quite the convoluted exhaust header pipe path. Looks a bit odd.

Todd, I agree. The green looks the best.

 

[misterprofessionality]

That is quite the convoluted exhaust header pipe path. Looks a bit odd.

Todd, I agree. The green looks the best.

yea it looks funny. they're just recyling the same headers all the other ninja 650 variants have. the Z650, the Versys650, and the Ninja 650 all have those exact same headers. The tail cowl and seat looks to be pulled straight off the Z900RS, possibly even the gas tank. This is a true parts bin bike, but i'm not even mad because i know those are all good parts.

I think I just realized the reason that I kind of like it is it's like my CB1100 and my Versys had a child out of wedlock.

 

[tommymck]

I'm not against water cooled. Triumph does a great job making those fit in so far as I'm concerned, and so could anybody else. It's just the way that the "lump" (as mentioned above) is so in-your-face with this thing that ruins it for me. It'll probably be fun though.

 

[redbirds_imp]

That is a beauty. Sparky had a KZ 650 in '79 when we married and it was a gorgeous bike and very reliable. This new 650 looks to be a winner.